Automatic router configuration

Abstract

Network router and multi-layer switch configuration is simplified, whereby packet flows are intercepted and identified while passing through, and fast routes are learned and cached on flow-by-flow basis. Simplified approach avoids configuration of network topology and provides plug-and-play installation, without configuring network or improved multi-layer switch.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]Invention relates to digital networking apparatus and methodology, and more particularly to automatic router configuration approach for improving network switching performance and flexibility.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0002]In conventional network systems, substantial and complex effort is required typically to configure network topology for switching and routing equipment. More recently, so-called multi-layer switches provide interconnection at Layer 2 and Layer 3 protocol to improve network integration and performance. However, because such multi-layer switches effectively functioning as hardware-based routers, thereby employing conventional routing protocols such as RIP (Routing Information Protocol) or OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) to calculate paths through the network, network managers still must reconfigure ports and reassign subnetwork numbers. Accordingly, there is need for simplified network router configuration.SUMMARY OF INVENTION[0003]Invention re...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003]Invention resides in simplified and automated approach to network configuration using improved multi-layer switching apparatus and methodology. In particular, packet flows or signals are learned or “snooped” while passing through improved multi-layer switch, and representations of fast routes are loaded into forwarding table including Layer-2 and / or Layer-3 addressing information in digital storage, such as content-addressable memory (CAM), on flow-by-flow or route-by-route basis. Preferred approach improves performance by avoiding pre-determination of network topology. Improved multi-layer switch is preferably installed flexibly (i.e., plug-and-play), essentially without configuring network or improved multi-layer switch. Such multi-layer switch offloads significant portion of traffic load from routers, thereby freeing routers for other use.

Problems solved by technology

In conventional network systems, substantial and complex effort is required typically to configure network topology for switching and routing equipment.

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